Illinois head coach Tim Beckman has had to replace more than half of his staff in recent weeks, but the process (fingers crossed) is complete.

The team on Tuesday announced the hiring of Al Seamonson as outside linebackers coach. Seamonson technically replaces cornerbacks coach Steve Clinkscale, who recently left for a position with the University of Cincinnati. Beckman has shuffled the responsibilities of his defensive staff. Coordinator Tim Banks now will coach the secondary, while Seamonson and Mike Ward will share the linebacker group. Ward coached the linebackers by himself in 2012 but now will handle inside linebackers, while Seamonson will coach the "LEO" and "Star" positions on the edges.

Another new assistant, Greg Colby, will handle the defensive line.

Seamonson most recently coached linebackers at Central Florida in 2011. He spent a decade (2001-10) as a Maryland assistant, coaching linebackers and special teams. A former wide receiver at Wisconsin, Seamonson coached with Beckman, Banks and Ward at Bowling Green in 2000 and also has had stints at The Citadel and Army.

Beckman has replaced five assistants on his staff from 2012, four of whom left voluntarily for other positions. The new staff definitely has a veteran flair after Beckman hired several extremely young assistants the first time around.

Seamonson's ties to Maryland should help in recruiting, as the Maryland/Washington D.C. area becomes more important to all Big Ten teams because of the upcoming expansion.